SMRTR Science & EngineeringJul 30, 2025Ars Technica

Peacock feathers can emit laser beams

SMRTR summary

Scientists have found that dyed peacock feathers can emit laser light, the first known biolaser cavity in animals. The feathers' iridescent colors come from nanostructures called barbules, which act as photonic crystals, tuning specific light wavelengths. This discovery could lead to applications in materials science, such as iridescent windows, self-cleaning surfaces, and anti-counterfeiting measures. It underscores the potential for nature-inspired innovations in optics and photonics.

SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Ars Technica.

Read the original article
SMRTR Science & Engineering

Get the next batch of curated summaries in your inbox.

This archive is built from SMRTR newsletter summaries. Subscribe for hand-picked stories without the extra noise.